Man Ordered to Pay Cost of Putting Out Fire
Unintentional Fire Proves Costly
A Connaught-area man has been fined $180 and ordered to pay the $8,500 cost of putting out a fire he started.
Edwin Philion was convicted of starting a fire under unsafe conditions. The court also ordered him to pay the cost of extinguishing the fire.
The court heard that on April 3, 2010, the Connaught Fire Department responded to an emergency call. A fire was threatening to burn the forest and residences on Girl Guide Camp Road in German Township east of Timmins. Fire crews and a helicopter from the Ministry of Natural Resources Timmins District responded to the call and put out the fire.
An investigation by a Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer and forest fire technician determined that the fire was started accidentally when Philion discharged a flare pistol into a pile of sand to test the device. The flare ricocheted, broke into several pieces and ignited dry grass on Philion’s property. Dry conditions and gusty winds caused the fire to spread rapidly. After trying unsuccessfully to extinguish the fire, Philion reported the emergency.
The fire season in northeastern Ontario is from April 1 to October 31, 2010. During this period, branch, leaf and wood piles and other debris may be burned only from two hours before sunset until two hours after sunrise. A person must tend the fire and have fire safety equipment on hand. To report forest fires, call 310-FIRE (310-3473).
To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your local ministry officer during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
